- Conference
- 2024 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 22 February 2024
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
The question of the constitutional future of the United Kingdom is becoming more prevalent amongst society and UNISON members. In the previous decade, the UK has been embroiled in constitutional arguments, the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 and Brexit in 2016. However, it is not only these era defining events that call into question the current arrangements of the UK.
Conference welcomes both the UK Labour party’s publication of ‘A New Britain: Renewing our Democracy and Rebuilding our Economy,’ and Welsh Labour’s ‘Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales.’ Conference this is evidence of the realisation that the UK must reform.
Evidence of the need for reform presents itself across the UK every day. Conference notes that the ever increasing wealth disparity in the UK, the increasing deprivation, child poverty and crumbling infrastructure. These issues are not unique to Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Nor are they being addressed, due to a combination of wilful inaction and centralised decision making.
The impact of policy making, and decisions taken at Westminster and Whitehall, are at best, disassociated, detached, and do not reflect the needs of the population. At worst, it is cynical, insular, and subject to currying favour with a fraction of the population for political gain.
Conference, democracy in the UK is at risk. Despite increasing support by the public for further devolution, power has in fact been further centralised and consolidated by the UK government.
Furthermore, it is unknown to many that devolution is not constitutionally enshrined. Though in practice it is unlikely that devolution could be withdrawn by an instrument of parliament, the fact that such a tool exists is further illustrative of the folly of the current arrangements.
Conference observes that as a consequence of the current arrangements, the United Kingdom does not conduct itself in partnership. Moreover, the arrangement can falter on the whims of one individual at Westminster. Liz Truss’ steadfast refusal to engage with the First Minister of Cymru/Wales during her entire administration despite insistence from senior civil servants provides stark evidence of this.
The current arrangements also prevent citizens living under devolution arrangements properly holding elected leaders to account. Too often, it is convenient and politically self serving to lay the blame for tough or unpopular decisions at the door of the UK government. Whilst in each case there will be truth in such claims to a varying degree, this does not, in any way exemplify a healthy, functioning democracy.
Conference notes that it hinders UNISON’s ability to campaign on strategic pay, terms and conditions issues as confusion and obfuscation over responsibilities and decision making by governments results in members disengaging and believing that the campaign efforts focused on the UK government are the greatest determiner of our outcomes.
Conference, put simply, the constitution of the UK and devolution, in its current guise is not working for the people of the UK whether you are from Aberystwyth, Aberdeen, Antrim or Accrington.
Conference calls on National Delegate Conference to:
1)Agree that the constitutional arrangements of the UK do not serve the interests of the majority of our citizens and there is a need to adopt a formal constitution based on a progressive form of federalist model.
Conference instructs the National Executive Council to:
a)Commission research on the various models of federalism and present the findings of this research, along with recommended options of how federalism could be applied to the UK, to National Delegate Conference 2025.